As the leaves start to fall and the air turns crisper, we are reminded that flu season is around the corner. For seniors, staying healthy during the fall months is especially crucial, as the flu can lead to serious complications in older adults. But, with the right precautions, seniors can significantly reduce their risk of getting sick.
Keep reading to learn how seniors can stay healthy during this flu season.
People ages 65 and older are more susceptible to complications of the cold and flu due to several factors associated with aging. As we age, our immune systems tend to weaken, which can make it harder for the body to fight off sicknesses like the common cold and flu.
Additionally, seniors with certain chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and lung disease are at a higher risk of developing life-threatening complications from the flu. That is because these health conditions can further compromise seniors’ immune function, therefore increasing their vulnerability to illness.
Since flu strains and cold viruses in the environment pose a higher risk to seniors, it is crucial to take extra precautions to stay healthy during this time.
Frequent handwashing is a simple yet powerful way to combat cold and flu viruses. Make sure to frequently wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds (or sing “Happy Birthday” twice). This is especially important after being out in public or touching surfaces like door knobs, railings, light switches, and more.
When soap and water are not available, hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol can be used. This can be a good option for seniors with less mobility to still keep their hands clean.
Be sure to also wash your hands after coughing, sneezing, and using the bathroom to prevent the further spread of germs.
During flu season, remember to limit close contact with people who are sick. It may sound obvious, but it is an important reminder for seniors.
Viruses spread easily through close contact. If your friends or family members are feeling under the weather, encourage them to take precautions and wait to visit with them until they are better. If you find yourself near someone who is sick, avoid touching, shaking hands, hugging, or sharing drinks with them.
A balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains will provide seniors with essential nutrients that can improve their immune system. Certain vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, vitamin D, and zinc are particularly important for maintaining immunity. In fact, studies show that additional Vitamin C can shorten the length of an illness or limit its severity. So grab some oranges and get in that Vitamin C (but be sure to consult with your doctor first)!
One of the most effective ways to protect yourself from the flu is by getting an annual flu shot. The flu vaccine is specifically designed to match the common flu strains that year.
Seniors should prioritize getting a flu shot because it can lessen their risk of developing the flu. It can also reduce the severity of flu symptoms and protect against complications.
Click here to find locations near you that offer the flu vaccine.
Regular exercise not only helps seniors stay in shape, but also contributes to a strong immune system. According to the Cleveland Clinic, just 20-30 minutes of exercise per day can boost your immune system significantly, helping you fight off illnesses.
Staying active can also improve circulation, reduce stress, and enhance your overall well-being. Seniors can participate in countless fitness activities such as pickleball, walking, Zumba, swimming, aerobics, yoga and many more.
Most assisted living communities offer fitness activities for seniors as part of their daily programming. Learn more about how you can participate on FloridaSeniorConsulting.com.
Getting adequate sleep is crucial for maintaining a strong immune system. Studies have shown that sleep helps the immune system function properly, and that chronic sleep loss is a risk factor for an impaired immune system. So, make sure to prioritize a good night’s sleep as much as possible. Seniors should aim for 7-8 hours of restful sleep each night.
Staying hydrated is a crucial part of maintaining your health during flu season. Drinking water helps the body fight off germs. Women should aim to drink 2.7 liters of water per day, and men should aim for 3.7 liters.
Florida seniors in particular need to make drinking enough water a priority because Florida temperatures can still be high during the fall, increasing the risk of dehydration and heat stroke.
Many of us touch our faces as a mindless habit. However, it is best to avoid touching your face if you can help it, or to wash your hands first. Germs can easily enter your body through your eyes, mouth, and nose. So, the more you touch your face, the more germs you may be introducing.
Being in crowded areas increases your chances of catching the cold or flu from someone else. This risk is increased in indoor and poorly-ventilated areas. If you cannot avoid being in these crowded areas, try to keep your distance from others as much as you can.
Seniors should be vigilant when it comes to cold and flu season. By taking proactive steps to prevent sickness, seniors can significantly reduce their risk of getting sick and continue to lead an active and fulfilling life.
Making sure your loved ones stay healthy can be difficult, especially if you live far away.
Florida Senior Consulting treats seniors as part of the family. We will guide them through the senior living process to make sure they get the care they need to stay safe and healthy.
Hot summer days are a good time for everyone to think about staying hydrated. For older adults the topic of hydration is a year-round discussion that never goes away. Its a serious issue for most seniors but doesnt get resolved because it needs to be addressed every day and cant be solved with a pill.Seniors have a very high risk for dehydration, which is one of the most frequent causes of hospitalization after the age of 65. They have a greater risk of dehydration for many reasons, including the fact that as we age, our kidneys become less efficient at conserving fluids, our sense of thirst weakens, and we are less able to adjust to changes in temperature. Some medications like diuretics, sedatives, and laxatives can also cause increased fluid loss.Dehydration can cause temporary symptoms that mimic symptoms of Alzheimers. If dementia-like symptoms seem to appear suddenly, it could be dehydration which is easily curable.Symptoms of dehydration range from minor to severe and include persistent fatigue, muscle weakness, headaches, dizziness, nausea, forgetfulness, confusion, lethargy, increased heart rate, sunken eyes, dry mouth, dark colored urine. Urine should be clear to pale yellow. I tell my clients that if their urine is darker than pale yellow, they should head straight to the kitchen from the bathroom and drink a full glass of water. Keeping a glass of water beside you all day to sip on rarely results in someone drinking enough fluids. Its more effective to drink the entire glass, even if its a small glass. Seniors cant rely on their sense of thirst to tell them when to drink water. Scheduling a glass at each meal and/or after a bathroom visit, making sure to drink the full glass, is the best way to make sure youve gotten your full daily amount.If you have any questions, please call us at 303-444-4040.
Isolation and loneliness are not new concepts to those who work in the field of aging. And, as a result of the COVID pandemic, almost everyone, regardless of age, experienced some form of isolation and loneliness. Many of us were separated from family, friends, and coworkers for so long that the isolation left a nearly permanent mark. As a senior service provider, Cultivate has seen, firsthand, the negative effects isolation has had on our senior clients. We have also seen the power of healing that the volunteers provide when they take time to build connections with our clients. According to the CDC, loneliness and social isolation in adults can lead to serious health conditions beyond the effect it has on mental health. The senior population has been disproportionately affected by isolation for years, and it is only in the aftermath of the pandemic that much of the population can begin to understand. Society saw a surge in volunteerism during the beginning of the pandemic because many people were struggling with the loneliness of quarantine while becoming very aware of the fact their neighbors needed help. However, that surge ended, and non-profits are finding a significant reduction in the number of new volunteers. Many forget that just because most of the population is no longer quarantined, this does not mean that the issues of isolation have disappeared. There are different ways that the community can get involved to help reduce isolation and loneliness in seniors. This work can start by reaching out to family, friends, and neighbors. You never know how much of an impact your time and words can have on someone. Volunteerism is also a good way to reach people who need the most help. Often the volunteers get as much out of their experience as those they are helping do. Whatever you choose, remember that we all know what it feels like to be lonely, and we all have the power to relieve the loneliness of others. Editors Note: This article was submitted by Carly Marquis. Carly is the Director of Volunteers with Cultivate and may be reached at 303-443-1933 or by email at cmarquis@cultivate.ngo.
Written by: Patti Chenis, WEC Team SupervisorContemplative Practices/ meditation/mindfulness are beneficial ways to strengthen our wellbeing, resilience, and develop a fuller capacity to recognize the healing power in ones heart to work with stress and difficult challenges.Mindfulness is knowing what you are doing as you are doing it. It is bringing awareness to your present moment lived experience. Bringing our attention to breathing is one of the most widely used objects of meditation and anchor for our attention. Continually coming back to the attention and awareness of our breath brings a sense of precision, (being in the present moment-connecting to our life force of breath) gentleness, (allowing whatever is arising e.g. thoughts, emotions, sensations to be as they are without judgement and returning to our awareness of breath) and openness ( being curious about the richness and fullness of our experience).Mindfulness can be developed as a formal practice on meditation cushion, chair, standing up, lying down or walking meditation. The point of meditation is to remember to bring mindfulness (that conscious awareness of being in our present lived experience) into daily life, so you could say any aspect our lives can be a mindfulness practice.Her are some thoughts about bringing mindfulness, loving kindness, self-compassion and compassion into daily life.Deep Conscious BreathsTaking some deep conscious breaths in the morning or whenever you feel stressed, anxious, overwhelmed or want a fresh restart in you daily life. Before you do something stress- full, step back and take some deep breaths; research shows deep breaths calm the nervous system.MovementWalking (especially getting out and enjoying nature), yoga, tai chi, qigong, dancing to your favorite music, laughter (full belly laughs can do wonders for the spirit-try it), singing your favorite song(s); crying (allow yourself to feel the release that crying can bring e.g. tears of sadness, joy) whatever gets your energy moving and flowing.Self-compassion and compassion practicesDispel the myths that self-compassion is selfish or that we are not worthy of love and wellbeing. Research show that offering words of loving kindness to oneself changes our brain and improves our resilience, strengthens our immune system and increases our capacity to be of benefit to others. When we feel resourced and have a sense of well-being our capacity to work with stress and difficult emotions is greater.Good morning Practice:Good morning (put your name here) I love you. You can repeat this in the morning or anytime during the day to interject some good will toward oneself or someone else in your life if it is difficult to say this about yourself at first.Compassion is not only feeling empathy and emotional connection to the suffering of others but also wanting to relieve that suffering. It is the courage to open our hearts to our own suffering as well as that of others and that we are all interconnected, in the same boat so to speak. We can offer words of care and loving kindness to ourselves, mentors (someone who has been kind to us) friends, strangers, difficult people, as well as to all beings as we open our heart of compassion to include all. May I and all beings have happiness, well-being, safety, health and live at ease and in harmony.